Strategy In Action: What’s Your Plan?

If you had your own sports team, would it be okay with you if the players only showed up on game day?  Do you go on vacation by jumping in the car and setting off randomly? These questions are slightly ridiculous, but many business owners do the equivalent with their business planning. Some may have […]

Continual Learning Leads to Continual Growth for Columbus Sign Business

Richie Grantham first came to the UGA SBDC in Columbus in 2008. He had purchased Sunshine Banners and Signs and was seeking guidance on how to best structure this business and prepare it for growth. The SBDC’s GrowSmart program was accepting applications, so Grantham applied and was accepted. After attending the five-week program, Grantham learned […]

Using LinkedIn to Build Influence | Aug. 10, 2017

Man Arranging Wooden Cubes with Contact Symbols

Is your business maximizing your social networking potential? Join us for a continuing education program focusing on teaching business owners and key managers how to leverage their personal networks (such as LinkedIn) and maximize influence in their market to grow business.

Heroes to CEOs

Armed Forces, Veteran, Handshake.

Are you a Veteran with an entrepreneurial idea, or a business that needs a boost? Submit your business plan now for a chance to win a $25,000 grant to help turn your idea into a success.

2017 Contractor Academy

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Welcome to the 2017 Contractor Academy Class Portal! On this page, you will be able to download presentations and other information regarding the program for each section. If you have any questions, please contact Trudy Lawrence in the UGA SBDC in Macon office at [email protected] or (478) 757-3609.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style=”column_title” inner_style=”inline_border” title=”Agenda”][/block_title][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][block_title style=”column_title” inner_style=”inline_border” […]

It’s Not Just About the Plumbing

I am often amazed in this highly competitive business environment at the frequent failures in customer service displayed by so many businesses, big or small. It seems that business owners, and their employees, have forgotten the simplest of courtesies in dealing with people. A story was shared with me recently of someone who contacted a […]

SBDC Training Shows Columbus Businessman Several Best Practices for Growth

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Terry Wiggins had worked his way up to district manager of a major insurance firm when it was purchased in 1996, and the new company wanted him to move. Rather than leave his beloved Columbus community, he purchased a small local agency with one agent and two part-time employees, renamed it Wiggins Insurance and quickly […]

“If I Only had Known…”

As one looks to enter the world of entrepreneurship or expand their current business, the question is the same….What are some common mistakes or things we can avoid. Here are a few of them: Cash is King! Not having a large enough cash reserve in the beginning or in the growth stage of a business […]